Dr Lois Parkes, chief personnel officer at the Office of the Services Commissions, told The Gleaner yesterday that the appointment was made pursuant to a recommendation by Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller.

"Mr Rowe was already an appointed permanent secretary, so he was a reassignment by the prime minister," Parkes told The Gleaner.

She noted that the prime minister has the power to reassign permanent secretaries.

"Although the governor general appoints a permanent secretary, in terms of where they are placed, they are placed by the prime minister."

Rowe's career in the public sector spans 32 years, starting in 1980 when he joined the Customs Department. He has served as deputy financial secretary for 11 years between September 1994 and December 2005. He also served as permanent secretary in the Ministry of Local Government and Environment for five years starting December 2005.

In the meantime, the Public Service Commission has confirmed the appointment of Elaine Foster-Allen as permanent secretary in the Ministry of Education. Foster-Allen now serves as principal of Shortwood Teachers' College.

Foster-Allen replaces Grace McLean, who has been acting in the position. Parkes told The Gleaner yesterday that the appointment was "done through a competitive process".